Thurso Community Development Trust 'over the moon' with funding awards
Two major funding awards have brought a positive start to the new year for the community trust leading a range of sustainable development projects in Thurso.
The grants, totalling almost £22,000, will allow Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) to expand on its community engagement and volunteering programmes at the community gardens in Ormlie, under the banner of Thurso Grows, and at the Greenhouses project in the town.
Funding of £12,000 has come from North Highland Initiative, along with £9986 from the Highland Third Sector Interface.
Between its two growing projects, TCDT has relationships with 27 local groups and organisations.
Lead gardener Sharon Dismore said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have been awarded these grants which will enable us throughout 2024 to continue and expand our volunteer programmes and reach out to more groups to increase access to the community growing spaces.
“We believe our strengths at the gardens lie in partnership working, reaching out to groups in our community and working with them to support their aims while welcoming them to the gardens. For example, for the Level 2 UHI cookery students, we will run a four-part course on lower-carbon cooking in the spring, to help educate about food choices and sustainability, and the students will then come throughout the spring term to visit the gardens at different times to learn more about food growing.
"In 2024 we will work with the local high school, UHI North, West and Hebrides, local mental health support groups and supported adults in the community while welcoming volunteers to the gardens on set days each week. We will hold open days and give tours of the gardens and work to increase the access and presence for the local community to come to the sites.
"If anyone would like to hear more, or learn about other ways to get involved, please contact Sharon@thursocdt.co.uk or pop up to our volunteer sessions at Ormlie gardens on a Saturday [10.30am to 12.30pm] or Greenhouses volunteer sessions [Thursdays, 10am to 2pm], weather dependent."
In October, it emerged that TCDT was "facing a time of uncertainty" over funding.
The trust was formed in 2018 with the aim of making Thurso "a better place to live, work and visit for all through community-led sustainable development". Its vision is for the town to be a "connected, active and ambitious place with a strong social purpose and a spirit of wellbeing".
